Improvement in metal fence-posts



B. T. FREDERICK. Metal Pence-Post.

Patented Dec. 25, 1877.

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l' up* l t, L BENJAMIN T. FREDERGKyOll MARSlEIAflliIJIOWN7 IOWA, ASSIGNOR- TQ NOR-THS wEsTERN-IRONFENGE COMPANY, oFsAMn PLACE.-

IMPROVEMENT IN METAL FENCE-POSTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 198,598, dated December 25, 1877; application filed December 12, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN T. FREDER- 10K, of Marshalltown, in the county of Marshall and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Fence- Posts, of which the following is a specification:

Figure l is a perspective view, showing the post and the key-plate separately. Fig. 2 is a detail, to show the key-platev in position on the post.

The design of this invention is to produce a convenient and easy means for securing fencewire in its position in a metal fence-post; and to this end it consists more particularly in a key-plate, adapted to f1t to and upon a iiange of the postand be held in position in any convenient way, all as will now be more particularly set out and explained.

In the accompanying drawings, A denotes a wrought-metal post, cast into the metal base B. The said base B has a pointed lower end, and at its upper end,vat the place of junction with top A, are shoulders b or suitable surface between the angles of the post, upon which the blows can be delivered in driving the post into the ground. The upper part A is preferably made of metal, bent at right angles, so as to present two flanges; but any convenient or desired shape may be used, so long as a flange is presented into which the fence-wire seat a can be cut or formed. This seat a has an approach or guide-slot, a', cut from the outer edge of the said iiange, and downwardlyinclined, thus aifording an easy. path to lead lthe wire into its said seat. The said vseat is usually of a rounded shape, and of proper size t0 make 'a close iit for the ordinary wire used in fencing. The upper part of said seat, at a, is made square or rectangular, forthe purpose of affording a secure opening, into which a ke)T or wedge can be driven to hold the wire in position in its said seat. The key-plate D is preferably made of about the same shape and size of one of the ribs or 'ilanges of the post A, but may bemade in two or more parts, if desired. In one edge of said plate D are cut or formed opening d', seat d, and enlargement d, which are the counterparts of those on the iiange or rib of A, excepting that they are generally of reversed shape. The object of this change is to cause the said opening, wireseat, and key-seat of the said key-plate, when it is litted to and upon the post ilange and over the wire, to match with the opening, slot, wire-seat, and key-seat of the fence p0st. When thus placed, the said key-plate may be secured in position by rivets or screws through holes c.

The key-plate Will effectually prevent the wire from falling out of its seat, or from being dislodged therefrom by cattle or by any accident.

Under some circumstances a vertical rib or strip may be secured to the post-fiange out` side the wire or cable, and answer the saine general conditions above named.

The method of using my said invention is about as follows: After the posts are set into the ground the fence wire or cable is placed in the appropriate seats in the post-flangesan operation easily performed with slots and open-ings of the general shape above indicated. Then the key plate or plates are tted upon the post-flanges, the edge having the openings for the fence wire or cable facing toward the post-center, said openings properly matching with those on the post-ange. Thus the outer edge of the key-plate will close the entrance to the wire or cable slot, and the matched openings in the fence flangesand key-plate will, together, form the seat for the wire.

The said key-plate may be secured permanently, as above described, or made removable by means of a bayonet-joint or hasp and staple, or by any like and well-known way or manner.

It will be obvious that it will not be necessary to have the entire slot and wire-seat eut precisely as now shown and described, for these may be changed in many ways, and yet show the key-plate adapted to be used in substantially the same manner and for the same purposes as above described.

Any number of wire panels may be used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

"In combination with a. .metal fence-post, having a.' ange provided with openings or slots for the fence wire or cable, an independent covering plate, adapted to be secured upon the said flange to close said openings or seats, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing asv my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN T. FREDERICK.

Witnesses W. H. H. FRYE, O. W. MEAD. Y 

